Sharon Sala - Cold Hearts

There’s only one way to keep secrets buried…

If only it had been something else that brought Lissa Sherman and Mack Jackson back in touch after so many years. Something—anything—other than the murder of Mack’s father. Even worse, Lissa’s car had been used as the murder weapon.

Thirty-five years ago, four friends went out joyriding and ended up in a terrible accident that left one dead and the others with no memory of that awful night. Now two more people, including Mack’s father, have been murdered, and if the lone survivor knows why they’re being targeted, she’s not talking.

Even as Lissa and Mack find themselves drawn together in the midst of tragedy, the mystery deepens when someone comes after Lissa, too. Is the danger to her tied to the other deaths, or are two killers at work in town? Now Mack has to fight an unknown attacker as well as his feelings for Lissa, but it may be that he can’t win either battle.

Praise for the novels of Sharon Sala Praise Title Page Dedication One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Extract Copyright

“Sala is a master at telling a story that is both romantic and suspenseful…. With this amazing story, Sala proves why she is one of the best writers in the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews on Wild Hearts

“Skillfully balancing suspense and romance, Sala gives readers a nonstop breath-holding adventure.”

—Publishers Weekly on Going Once

“Vivid, gripping…this thriller keeps the pages turning.”

—Library Journal on Torn Apart

“Sala’s characters are vivid and engaging.”

—Publishers Weekly on Cut Throat

“Sharon Sala is not only a top romance novelist, she is an inspiration for people everywhere who wish to live their dreams.”

—John St. Augustine, host, Power!Talk Radio WDBC-AM, Michigan

“Veteran romance writer Sala lives up to her reputation with this well-crafted thriller.”

—Publishers Weekly on Remember Me

“[A] well-written, fast-paced ride.”

—Publishers Weekly on Nine Lives

“Perfect entertainment for those looking for a suspense novel with emotional intensity.”

—Publishers Weekly on Out of the Dark

Cold Hearts

Sharon Sala

www.mirabooks.co.uk

Compassion is the recipe for life. Take heed of kindness. Use liberally when necessary and omit judgment for others.

The coldest hearts beat in the bodies of those most wounded by life. It is not for us to judge a lifestyle when we are unaware of shattered dreams.

I dedicate this book to everyone who’s walking a path they didn’t see coming, with peace and grace to them for still finding their way.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text There’s only one way to keep secrets buried… If only it had been something else that brought Lissa Sherman and Mack Jackson back in touch after so many years. Something—anything—other than the murder of Mack’s father. Even worse, Lissa’s car had been used as the murder weapon. Thirty-five years ago, four friends went out joyriding and ended up in a terrible accident that left one dead and the others with no memory of that awful night. Now two more people, including Mack’s father, have been murdered, and if the lone survivor knows why they’re being targeted, she’s not talking. Even as Lissa and Mack find themselves drawn together in the midst of tragedy, the mystery deepens when someone comes after Lissa, too. Is the danger to her tied to the other deaths, or are two killers at work in town? Now Mack has to fight an unknown attacker as well as his feelings for Lissa, but it may be that he can’t win either battle.

Praise Praise for the novels of Sharon Sala Praise Title Page Dedication One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Extract Copyright “Sala is a master at telling a story that is both romantic and suspenseful…. With this amazing story, Sala proves why she is one of the best writers in the genre.” —RT Book Reviews on Wild Hearts “Skillfully balancing suspense and romance, Sala gives readers a nonstop breath-holding adventure.” —Publishers Weekly on Going Once “Vivid, gripping…this thriller keeps the pages turning.” —Library Journal on Torn Apart “Sala’s characters are vivid and engaging.” —Publishers Weekly on Cut Throat “Sharon Sala is not only a top romance novelist, she is an inspiration for people everywhere who wish to live their dreams.” —John St. Augustine, host, Power!Talk Radio WDBC-AM, Michigan “Veteran romance writer Sala lives up to her reputation with this well-crafted thriller.” —Publishers Weekly on Remember Me “[A] well-written, fast-paced ride.” —Publishers Weekly on Nine Lives “Perfect entertainment for those looking for a suspense novel with emotional intensity.” —Publishers Weekly on Out of the Dark

Title Page Cold Hearts Sharon Sala www.mirabooks.co.uk

Dedication Compassion is the recipe for life. Take heed of kindness. Use liberally when necessary and omit judgment for others. The coldest hearts beat in the bodies of those most wounded by life. It is not for us to judge a lifestyle when we are unaware of shattered dreams. I dedicate this book to everyone who’s walking a path they didn’t see coming, with peace and grace to them for still finding their way.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Extract

Copyright

One

It began with phone calls in the night.

The moment Melissa Sherman answered, the connection would be broken. After a time, the calls escalated to heavy breathing and ugly laughter. It wasn’t until the caller began telling her in a slow husky whisper the disgusting things he was going to do to her that she finally broke, screaming obscenities in his ear, calling him an outright coward hiding behind walls and darkness, and hung up. Then she unplugged her landline and took comfort in the fact that he didn’t know the number to her cell phone.

She had less than two weeks of peace and quiet before the stalking began.

* * *

Lissa’s starfish night-light had seen her through most of elementary school, all of high school and a broken heart, four years of college and six years of teaching in Savannah, Georgia.

This past summer she and her night-light had returned to Mystic, West Virginia, to teach first grade. She’d never really thought about coming home to teach, but having her childhood home to live in free and clear had been too good to turn down. It was a hard trade-off, inheriting the house as she lost her last parent, but family memories were strong and vivid in every room.

Tonight the starfish was casting a faint yellow glow, lighting the way from her bedroom into the hall as she ran toward the living room, her footsteps making little slap-slap sounds on the hardwood floor.

It was after 2:00 a.m. and she’d already been up once, certain there was someone outside her house. The sound had been right beneath her bedroom window, a tapping sound, but nothing natural, because it had a very unnatural stop-and-go rhythm. It had taken all her nerve to look out, and then, when she did, she had seen nothing.

Uneasy, she’d gone back to bed and had just drifted off to sleep when she’d heard another sound that had had her on her feet in seconds. It was the sound of boots stomping heavily on the wooden surface of her front porch. Now she was running through the house in her old flannel pajamas. When she turned on the porch light to look out, she saw no one and nothing out of place. She thought about calling the police, but there was nothing to tell other than the fact she was scared out of her mind and the house that used to mean sanctuary now felt like a trap.